Khaddam held important discussions with the Qatari leadership upon his arrival in Doha this morning

publisher: الراية

AUTHOR: العزب الطيب الطاهر

Publishing date: 2004-12-05

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The visit of Mr. Abdel Halim Khaddam, Vice President of Syria, to Doha this morning is highly significant, both in terms of the bilateral relations between Qatar and Syria and for the political issues that will be on the agenda of the distinguished guest’s discussions in Doha.

Khaddam is scheduled to arrive at Doha International Airport around 10:00 this morning. According to Al Raya’s information, he will head directly to the Amiri Diwan to meet with His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the Emir of Qatar, and is expected to convey a message from Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. He will then hold official discussions with His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Crown Prince.

In statements to Al Raya, His Excellency Mr. Hajem Ibrahim, the active Syrian Ambassador in Doha, highlighted that the main goal of Mr. Khaddam’s visit is to strengthen and enhance the bilateral relations between Doha and Damascus, which have been solidified by the reciprocal visits between the Emir and President Bashar al-Assad. These visits have become a significant aspect of the development of these relations.

Mr. Khaddam’s discussions with senior Qatari officials will focus on implementing agreements and memorandums of understanding signed between the two countries, including agreements on economic cooperation, investment protection and promotion, avoidance of double taxation, health, cultural, and educational cooperation, as well as labor organization between the countries. Additionally, there is a memorandum of understanding for political coordination between the Qatari and Syrian foreign ministries.

Undoubtedly, Khaddam’s visit to Doha is part of Damascus’s current efforts to activate the peace process on the Syrian track. Al Raya asked Ambassador Hajem Ibrahim about the extent to which this issue would occupy the discussions during Khaddam’s visit. He confirmed that this file will be of significant importance, especially given the support and backing Syria receives from Qatar, as frequently expressed by the Emir in his recent speeches and statements. The Emir continuously affirms the legitimate Arab rights in Palestine, the Golan Heights, and the Lebanese Shebaa Farms. Mr. Khaddam will present the Qatari leadership with Damascus’s perspective on the possibility of resuming negotiations with Israel based on national and regional parameters, noting that Syria adopted peace as a strategic option around 12 years ago and is committed to achieving it. However, the opposing party is the Israeli government, which continues to place obstacles.

According to Al Raya, the Syrian stance differs from what certain parties are trying to promote, as it reflects the possibility of resuming negotiations with Israel from where they left off years ago, based on the principles of just and comprehensive peace in the region and the implementation of international legitimacy resolutions, particularly resolutions 242 and 338, and the withdrawal of Israel from all occupied Arab territories, including resuming negotiations from where they stopped in January 2000.

The discussion of developments related to the Syrian track during Khaddam’s talks in Doha will be framed within the central Arab issue, which is the Palestinian cause, as expressed by Ambassador Hajem, especially in light of the repercussions of Arafat’s departure and the upcoming elections on January 9 to select new Palestinian leadership.

The Iraqi issue will also be on the agenda of Khaddam’s discussions in Doha, given that Syria is an important neighbor of Iraq. In this context, both sides will evaluate the results of the recent Sharm El Sheikh conference and the meeting of interior ministers of neighboring countries held recently in Tehran. Due to the importance of the visit, Mr. Khaddam will deliver a lecture on the current Arab situation at Qatar University at 10:00 tomorrow morning in the Ibn Khaldun Hall.

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